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PCS District will wisely use holiday insurance premium funds

By Jan RahnManaging Editor In a win-win situation, Perkins County Schools is benefitting from an insurance premium “holiday” from Blue Cross/Blue Shield—meaning that because of a decline in catastrophic claims and an increased reserve in the Educator Health Alliance pool that the district belongs to, the district doesn’t have to pay December’s premium. That means $56,000 in favor of the district’s budget. Superintendent Tobin Buchanan said it was decided by the teachers and the board of education to provide a one-time $500 stipend for instructional technology or supplies to be used in the classroom by each qualifying staff member. It was also decided to donate a portion to the district’s “Always For Kids” fund which helps provide students in need with clothing, school supplies and other items as needed. The remaining amount, which is just under half of the $56,000 premium amount, will be returned to the budget’s general fund as district savings. Some districts in the state have not handled the matter nearly as congenially, with school boards and teachers frustrated over battling the issue of what should be done with the money. “I think we arrived at a solution that benefits several different stakeholders in our district,” said Buchanan.